MAZDA’S hot-selling new CX-5 compact SUV is set to get a performance boost next year with the addition of a bigger petrol engine option.

The company’s vice-president of European research and development, Ichiro Hirose, told Australian media at last week’s Paris motor show the CX-5 would get the more powerful 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit fitted to the upcoming Mazda6 sedan and wagon.

“That will come soon – next year,” said Mr Hirose.

The CX-5 is currently offered in Australia only with a 114kW 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 129kW 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.

Mazda Australia public relations manager Steve Maciver said there were no plans for the 2.5-litre CX-5 but that the company had a history of taking engines offered and would certainly consider it.

“If something is made available, we would have a look at it,” said Mr Maciver.

The more powerful petrol engine option would address one of the few criticisms of the popular CX-5, which was launched in Australia to great acclaim earlier this year.

The forthcoming 2.5-litre SkyActiv four-cylinder produces 141kW of power and 256Nm of torque in the Mazda6, 27kW and 56Nm more than the 2.0-litre unit currently offered in the CX-5.

Even Mazda Australia has been taken by surprise with the instant market success of the CX-5 and cannot meet customer demand, with waiting lists averaging about three months.

Mazda Australia marketing manager Alastair Doak told GoAuto that sales of the vehicle had exceeded its expectations, having sold 9719 examples to the end of August compared with 3145 in the same period last year for the CX-7 it replaced.

It has become the highest-selling vehicle in its class, outpointing longer-established rivals including the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester.